Cold temperatures, snow flurries, and strong winds kept a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Arvest Bank short and sweet Thursday morning.

The new 6,000-square-foot branch, located at the corner of College Avenue and Township Street, will nearly double the size of the bank it will replace a few blocks south at 1946 N. College Avenue.

Preliminary site plans

Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan and Arvest Bank Fayetteville president Donny Story made brief remarks before a crowd of about 30 chamber officials, bank associates, and members of the media.

“We are so happy to see work begin on our new location,” Story said. “Our customers and associates will appreciate the much needed space and added convenience. We simply outgrew the old location.”

The project, which also includes six drive-through lanes and nearly 40 parking spaces, will be built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, officials said.

A crew with Tulsa-based Ark Wrecking Co. is working this week to demolish the existing building at the west end of the lot.

Estimated completion for the project is October 2013.

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